Comment: Surprisingly, Primus is not defending the Bellator title against former champ Michael Chandler to start 2018. It’s unclear when Primus will have his first title defense, hopefully it’s on the books before spring with Patricky Freire a viable challenger.

Comment: Former two-time champion Chandler returns to action for the first time since his most recent reign ended in the summer. He’s back in action against 25-year-old Yamauchi (22-3) who himself is on a three-fight win streak and has 18 total wins by submission.

Comment: Pettis suffered a fractured rib in the third round against Dustin Poirier in November, resulting in the loss. “Showtime” will turn 31 later this month and will continue to try and turn this stage of his career around. At the end of 2014, Pettis was 18-2, the reigning UFC lightweight champion and was fresh off submission wins over Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez. Since 2015, he is 2-5, just 1-4 at lightweight (1-1 at featherweight) and has not been able to win consecutive fights.

Those losses should not be taken lightly: Rafael dos Anjos (now a top contender at welterweight), Eddie Alvarez (perennial top lightweight contender), Edson Barboza (top lightweight contender), Max Holloway (featherweight champion, top P4P fighter) and now Poirier.

2018 may be Pettis’ last opportunity to get back in the championship mix, or risk becoming a gatekeeper and turning to the next stage of his professional career by 2019.